Hi Rick:
> PLATT:
> ...It's "opinion" that bothers me. My dictionary says opinion means
> "belief
> resting on grounds insufficient to product certainty."
>
> RICK:
> The second half of that definition is superfluous. Try using only the first
> half, "Opinion: A belief resting on grounds." Now try, "Fact: An
> 'opinion' with respect to which no contrary grounds are known."
If I have a choice between you and Random House, guess whom I will
pick.
> PLATT:
> So I take you believe there are no certain facts...
>
> RICK:
> Are any particular facts 'absolutely certain' such that they will last
> forever and never be refuted? As I have no clue what 'grounds' will be
> discovered in the future, I can only say... I don't know.
You seem to be certain that you "have no clue . . . "
> RICK (from last post):
> "...This theory of provisional truth is not original to Pirsig (not even
> close), it's a time-honored view of argumentation theorists...."
>
> PLATT:
> Since by your own account "time-honored" doesn't mean valid...
>
> RICK:
> Actually, by my theory 'time-honored' doesn't mean CERTAIN. I'm curious
> as to why you've now substituted in the term 'valid' for the 'certainty'
> that you were so concerned with in the previous points.
To coin a phrase, "variety is the spice of life."
> PLATT:
> ...I take it this theory is also provisional....
>
> RICK:
> Yes... this theory IS also provisional. Maybe, someday somebody will show
> us grounds to believe that certainty is possible, and that facts and truths
> aren't provisional... Maybe.
All is provisional. Anything goes. War is peace, freedom is slavery,
ignorance is strength. Oh George O., how right you were.
> PLATT:
> ...Or are some theories more provisional than others?
>
> RICK:
> We are as 'certain' of a given opinion/theory/fact as we are of our
> perceptions and judgments about the 'grounds' that support it.
I'm not as certain about that as you are.
> PLATT:
> Are these last hurdles between us and a hug insurmountable?
>
> RICK:
> I don't think so... but obviously, I can't be certain....
Right. You can't even be certain that you can't be certain.
Platt
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